Nighbor to be inducted into North Bay and Area Sports Hall of Fame
From what started out as a family activity, David Nighbor’s cross country skiing career grew to a level few local skiers have attained. Commencing with his high school career, his status as an elite skier grew as he progressed through the ranks from Chippewa High School to the Ontario Junior Development Team followed by selection to the Ontario Elite Winter Racing Team.
His accomplishments at those levels saw him advance to the Canadian Junior National team from 2001-2004 and ultimately from 2004-2009 as a member of the Canadian National Ski team.
Nighbor is on the 2025 list of North Bay and Area Sports Hall of Fame inductees, which includes local volleyball star Megan Stacey Manning, Gymtrix owner and longtime gymnastic coach Nikki Chretien, former NHL and WHL official Peter Moffat, and accomplished weightlifter Melissa Ladouceur.
Over that period of time David orchestrated an impressive resume that included:
- 4-time NDA, NOSSA and OFSAA Ski Champion – 1999-2002
- Canadian Junior National Ski Championships – 11 golds, 2 silver, 1 bronze
- North American Canada Cup – 8 golds, 3 silver
- 2007 – 5 consecutive NORAM victories leading to gold at the Canadian Ski Championships
- International stage – 2007 under 23 world championships – 18th
- World Cup races – 32nd , 33rd , 37th
- 2007 senior world championships – 51st
- 2008 – European Cup – 2nd
- The penultimate accomplishment of being named as an alternate member of Team Canada at the Torino Winter Olympics in 2006
In summary, during his career, David competed at the national level, he had top 10 finishes in 18 of the 26 events he competed in, with a top 10 overall percentage of 69 per cent. On the World Cup stage, he competed in 11 events with a best finish of 29th .
At the OFSAA level, he had 14 - 1 st place finishes and for good measure, he threw in a few NOSSA track and field top finishes as well.
David Nighbor’s accomplishments speak volumes to the unlimited opportunities a strong local club with solid coaching can provide to young athletes. To his credit David Nighbor developed a passion and commitment to the sport of Cross-country skiing that took him to the pinnacle of this sport and made him an automatic inductee into the North Bay and Area Sports Hall of Fame.
Nighbor will be inducted into the NBSHOF at the 45th Annual Induction and Awards Dinner on Saturday, May 2, at the Davedi Club. Tickets can be purchased through Larry Tougas at 705-303-8104. Tickets are also available at the Davedi Club by calling 705-474-4190. Tickets are $65.
